Diva Cup Review! Is This Legendary Menstrual Cup Worth The Hype?

Periods can be a real pain (pun intended), especially when you have to change tampons or sanitary pads every couple of hours, but that could be a thing of the past when you switch to menstrual cups.

So in my Diva Cup review, I’m testing the original and oldest menstrual cup of them all, which promises to bring women a more convenient and hassle-free period!

Introduction – What is a Diva Cup?!

The Diva Cup is made by Diva International Plc, a company with a mission to help women to take better control of their periods and to empower them with the essential knowledge to make the right choice to fit in with their lifestyles.

The Diva Cup was first invented in 2001 with the aim of making menstruation a more positive experience for women everywhere. It was one of the first menstrual cups to ever appear on the market and so has the benefit of years of experience behind it.

Diva Cup Review : Sizes and Spec

There are two sizes of Diva Cup available to suit the needs of all women. There is a size difference of 0.3 cm in diameter between the two, with Model 1 (UK | USA) being best suited to ladies under the age of 30 who have never had either a vaginal or caesarean delivery. Model 2 (UK | USA) is perfect for women over 30 or who have previously given birth.

Both of the cups are around around the same length (5.7 cm) and the stem is just under 1 cm making a total length of 6.7 cm, however the stem can be trimmed to improve comfort. The Diva Cup is only available in an un-pigmented natural silicone to reduce the body’s exposure to chemicals and other potentially harmful particles.

Special Features

The Diva Cup instructions state that it can be worn for up to 12 hours and guarantees leak-proof protection. It is manufactured from only the highest quality and healthcare grade silicone and contains no potentially harmful substances including polyethylene, elastomer, phtalate, BPA, acrylate, acrylic, PVC, plastic or latex. It is also free from any dyes or colours.

This is an eco-friendly product and it features extra grip ridges which makes removal a breeze. It has been rigorously tested and certified as a safe device and is extra durable for a longer lifespan. The Diva Cup also comes packaged with a cute carrying bag and a Diva pin, which are nice touches.

Diva Cup: Pros and Cons

There are lots of advantages to choosing the Diva Cup, one of the greatest of which is its durability and large capacity which allows for it to be used for up to 12 hours without having to be emptied and washed, even on heavier days. As its manufacturing process is free from any harmful substances this is a good product for those who are sensitive to chemicals or latex.

It isn’t the most attractive menstrual cup on the market as it is only available in natural silicone rather than in the appealing shades offered by some of Diva Cup’s competitors, but it does come in feminine packaging that has its own appeal. It can be worn even when participating in sporting activities – I’ve worn it while jogging and had no problems with leakage. The downside is that this is one of the larger cups on the market and may be a little too big for anyone who has a very low cervix.

Diva Cup FAQ’s

Will I still be able to use the Diva Cup if I have heavy periods?

Yes, in fact the Diva Cup will generally hold more blood than even a heavy-flow tampon. On your heaviest days, you should still be able to enjoy around 7 hours of uninterrupted and leak-free wear before having to empty and wash it out as long as you have inserted it correctly.

I am a teenager, can I use the Diva Cup?

The Diva Cup is suitable for use from the day your first period starts, although teenagers may find the idea of using one a little weird. It is flexible enough to fit to any shape or size, so age isn’t a barrier to its use.

I would however recommend that younger girls who want to use one ask their mum or another female relative for some advice about how to insert it properly as it may be a little tricky to manage themselves the first few times.

How do I clean my Diva Cup?

The Diva Cup is really easy to clean with just warm water and an unscented, mild water based soap. The only issue you might encounter is if you need to empty it in a public toilet, however in that situation you can simply wash your hands before entering the cubicle, empty the cup and then wipe it clean with a piece of tissue before reinserting it. Just make sure to wash it properly next time.

Can I wear the Diva Cup when I go to the toilet?

There’s no need to remove the Diva Cup if you need to urinate or have a bowel movement as it will stay in place.

Can I use the Diva cup and IUD together?

Being that the Diva Cup sits at the base of your vagina, it should not interfere with any birth control devices. But be careful, and if you have any doubts – speak to an expert 🙂

What do other ladies say about the Diva Cup?

“It’s an absolute dream! No leaking, no feeling disgusting, no need to run to the bathroom every 10 minutes. I can sleep like normal and work my 10 hour day without having to check it!”
– Amber Oliver, Amazon

“Clean and affordable! For this price imagine only buying one cup once a year!”
– Safiatu Keita, Amazon

“Seriously? Why doesn’t everyone know about this? It’s like this weird secret — I mentioned it jokingly in a bar the other night, practically under my breath (while blushing), and three women SQUEEEED as we all came out of the Diva Cup Closet and talked about our Secret Love.”
– Rachael Herron, Amazon

Diva Cup Company Information

Diva International was established by Francine Chambers, whose passion for finding a better way to deal with the menstrual cycle led to her promoting and selling menstrual cups for 10 years before finally branching out into designing her own innovative product with the help of her daughter Carinne. The first Diva Cup was made in Canada and was sold in 2001.

Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength, becoming the only menstrual cup manufacturer to be ISO 13485:2003 certified. The Diva Cup has also won numerous awards including the Silver Medal in the “Consumers Choice for Personal Care and Beauty” category by the Alive Awards in 2011 (and many more).

It has also been a finalist in the “Personal Care-Mom” category in the Best of Mothering contest and was in the top 10 of the 2011 People’s Choice Award for Green Business of the Year by Green America.

Is the Diva Cup worthy of the hype?!

Size

Material

Features

Price

Diva Cup Review | Summary

The Diva Cup is one of the oldest and one of the most popular menstrual cups out there and it's easy to see why. Offering comfortable and leak-free protection for up to 12 hours, the Diva Cup has a high capacity and long lifespan, making it a really convenient and much more hygienic alternative to traditional pads or tampons.

Although it may initially seem quite an expensive investment, remember that it will last for years, so it will save you a fortune in the long run!